Q: How to build your own agility course in your backyard?
I mean making your own. like using stuff you can find at garage sales or around the house.
First, what are the names of all the things used in a real agility course? How may I go about building all of them?
Photo Credit: goingslo/Flickr CC
Answers and Views:
Answer by Anna
Hey, I was going to ask this question, well not so much as how but for ideas about what to use. So far I have two barrels(50-gallon plastic)I got them from the place I work(for free) They are food-grade barrels(I will fill them with water for more stability). I am planning on placing a wide wooden plank across the top of the barrels, and on each end, I will place a wide plank on one barrel and the other end on the ground to act kind of like a bridge. You walk your dog up the plank then across then down, I do not remember what they call this. Planning on getting another which I will cut the ends off place on the ground with a cement block on each side to keep it in place, For my dog to go through(kind of like a tunnel).
At the farm supply store, I will be picking up some small metal fence post a dozen should do to make the thing your dogs weave through. A friend suggested I get some plastic plumbing pipes and some 2X4's to make jumps(the plastic piping would be what the dog jumps over and it would be adjustable.)I do not have any ideas yet on what to use for the tetter-totter or the A-frame. Good Luck I will be watching for other people's ideas.
Despite what some of the others have to say I have done Obedience classes with my dog and some agility as well and I do not remember the names of the equipment sorry, also the place where i did this had made most of their own equipment and it can be as safe or safer than the stuff you buy online or from catalogs. But I do agree with the training part your dog can get badly hurt if you do some of this stuff wrong.
Also, your dog could get very scared and refuse to do any of this. My GSD had to work up to some of these things she was very scared to do the bridge thing but we (the trainer) coaxed her across and after several weeks she was willing to cross without being coaxed. Some of the equipment was off-limits for my dog until she was older(A-frame, really high jumps, and the tetter-totter)because it would put too much stress on her growing joints.
Answer by Anya D
Look at this: easy-to-build agility courses at Amazon (#ad)
1) there's always a tube-like thing that the dog is supposed to run through. you could use a large garbage bin with no top or bottom…like those giant plastic ones.
2) there are always jumps over bars. you could possibly put a broomstick on paint cans. secure them somehow to the cans so the stick stays in place. maybe just plain old duct tape would do it. you could also use different sized cans to make some lower and some higher. of course, take into account how tall your dog is!
3) they have this thing like 2 boards set at an angle against each other. the dog has to run up one side and then down the other. that would have to be 2 boards. maybe you could attach them together with 2 cheap hinges. make sure you secure the base somehow so it can support the weight of your dog.
Answer by brown eyed girl
Hey, that's a great idea. I don't know what all that stuff is called but just wanted to let you know that I like your idea!!
Maybe you can try branches, leftover wood if you have any, etc. But I don't know how safe that would be...
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